Kentucky governor tests negative for COVID-19

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Having tested negative for COVID-19 after feeling ill, Kentucky's governor said Tuesday that the experience gave him “newfound empathy" for people dealing with the anxiety of waiting for their own test results.

Gov. Andy Beshear said he and his family tested negative for the coronavirus. But he described it as a “real scare" after he showed symptoms Tuesday morning that might suggest someone has the virus.

The Democratic governor said he immediately isolated himself and canceled afternoon events. He was tested a few hours later and it came back negative, Beshear said in a video statement.

“Even the short wait that I had to endure gives me newfound empathy for those that are having to wait even just a couple days to get their test returns back, knowing that they may be separated from their family and wondering what their immediate future is going to be," he said.

“So I’m going to continue to try to lead with that empathy and hopefully it makes me a better governor in addressing this virus,” he added.

Earlier Tuesday, a news conference that was to feature Beshear and Republican U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers was postponed after the governor and first lady Britainy Beshear “began not feeling well,” the governor's office said.

It led to about three hours of speculation about their health until a followup statement from the governor's office said that Beshear and his family had tested negative for the coronavirus. The governor's office later released his video statement.

The governor and the first lady have two children.

Beshear has repeatedly warned Kentuckians about the threat posed by the virus.

Last month, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt became the nation's first governor to test positive for the coronavirus. Stitt quarantined himself for two weeks.

Meanwhile, Beshear on Tuesday announced 562 new coronavirus cases in Kentucky, raising the total number of cases to at least 35,793 since the pandemic began. The governor reported eight more virus-related deaths in Kentucky, raising the statewide death count to 783.

Kentucky’s positivity rate — a rolling figure reflecting the average number of tests coming back positive for COVID-19 — increased to 5.87%.

“That is a number that is simply too high for a lot of things that we want to do,” Beshear said.

On Monday, Beshear urged Kentucky schools to delay reopening in-person classes until Sept. 28 to provide more time to curb the spread of the virus. The Bluegrass State was hit by a big escalation of virus cases in July.

The governor reiterated Tuesday that he’s committed to getting children back in schools “in a safe manner.” He continued to stress the need to wear masks in public and adhere to social distancing.

A number of Kentucky school districts had already announced plans to start the new academic year with virtual instruction only.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the highly contagious virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal.

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